alabama possible from the alabama poverty project

Anne Ruisi

Birmingham News

September 19, 2007

A $1 million gift to support the creation of Red Mountain and Railroad Reservation parks and the expansion of Ruffner Mountain Nature Center leads the list of a total $2.4 million in grants recently announced by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

The Cahaba River Society, a conservation group concerned with the river that flows through northwestern Shelby County, received a $46,000 grant.

The award to the parks and the nature center is among the largest given by the foundation, said spokeswoman Emily Jones Rushing.

The Cahaba River Society grant is to support innovative growth solutions by encouraging developers and local governments to adopt improved design standards for development along the Cahaba watershed.

A total 62 nonprofit organizations in Shelby, Jefferson, Blount, Walker and St. Clair counties are the latest grant recipients. Others include:

Alabama Poverty Project, $7,000 to support the Faith Initiative in informing and encouraging involvement from Alabama faith leaders in seeking solutions to poverty in the state.

Alabama Rivers Alliance, $15,000 to support the Alabama Water Agenda, a proactive policy campaign that aims to achieve four aspects of healthy water in the Birmingham area and statewide with Alliance4 partners, the Cahaba River Society and Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

Assistance League of Birmingham, $22,000 for Operation School Bell, to add a shoe voucher program and increase the amount of new clothing for school and the number of children served in grades K-6.

Autism Society of Alabama, $5,000 for Adventures in Autism, a therapeutic recreational program that promotes networking and family and peer support for families affected by autism.

Bare Hands Gallery, $2,000 to support the Day of the Dead Festival and increase cultural understanding between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities.

Better Basics, $30,000 to help first- and second-graders who struggle to read at grade level through reading curriculum taught by certified teachers and trained volunteers.

Birmingham Pledge Foundation, $3,500 toward a strategic planning process, update of teachers guide and pledge kit and purchase of new computers.

Birmingham-Southern College, $140,000 over three years to support an Urban Environmental Studies major course of study that will train students in natural sciences, society and policy and environmental education.

Boy Scouts of America – Greater Alabama Council, $20,000 to support the Soccer and Scouting Program to help Hispanic youth in Birmingham learn values, American culture and reach their full potential.

Children’s Dance Foundation, $10,000 to support community partnership serving young and old with physical, mental or emotional challenges, and to support elementary school performances that teach math concepts.

Community Health Charities of Alabama, $10,000 toward campaign manager position, which will include work to expand giving campaigns, promote member agencies and work with lawmakers to effect policy change.

Crisis Center, $15,000 toward part-time suicide prevention program coordinator to organize suicide-prevention activities and maintain records and data for director and board.

Full Life Ahead Foundation, $17,000 to support the Planning Process Project, which coaches individuals with disabilities and their families on how to set goals for the future, plan careers and find employment.

Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, $20,000 to support the program coordinator position for work in preventing pregnancy among girls ages 10-18 and training contract educators to serve the five-county area.

Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, $8,000 to support hiring a part-time teacher of English as a Second Language, to expand intensive ESL classes for beginners and help to eliminate a waiting list for participants.

Junior League of Birmingham, $35,000 over two years to support the All Aboard! Read with Me! Imagination Library Initiative, which mails a book every month to Jefferson County children up to age 5.

Laps for CF Foundation, $10,000 to hire a development officer who will establish a network between the 400 Alabama families facing the challenges of cystic fibrosis and the fundraising and awareness efforts of the organization.

Liz Moore Low Vision Center, $7,000 to fund support groups that provide access to educational programming, transportation, equipment and social activities.

McWane Science Center, $90,000 over two years toward planning and design for the Smart Cafe, creating a place that offers healthier food choices and an enjoyable and educational exhibit.

Oak Mountain Missions Ministries, $17,500 to serve individuals in Jefferson and Shelby counties through distribution of food, furniture and financial assistance.

Region 2020, $84,500 over three years toward the involvement of private and public sectors in the next edition of Community Counts, in the Three Parks Project and in the Regional Law Enforcement Task Force Initiative, which promotes cooperation among regional law enforcement entities.

Safe Harbor, $10,000 toward the position of director of resource, benefiting parents and family members of at-risk teens residing in Jefferson,

Shelby and St. Clair counties

Samaritan Counseling Center, $9,000 toward salaries for therapists providing counseling, maintaining records and developing a referral network.

South Regions Minority Business Council, $15,000 to support Minority Business Enterprise capacity building workshops, educational seminars and training.

Special Equestrians, $2,500 to update technology for presentations, tracking volunteers, fund development and other tasks serving residents of Jefferson and Shelby counties who are diagnosed with a variety of physical and behavioral disorders.

Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of America, $4,500 to support training for foster parents in handling abused and neglected youth, reducing disruptions in placement and providing behavior management training.

Youth Leadership Forum, $3,000 to support leadership development and community service sessions that will help participants develop skills to be effective members of their community.

YWCA, $150,000 over three years to support a capital campaign to renovate and expand Interfaith Hospitality House, including 24 two-bedroom apartments for long and short-term housing for homeless intact families, homeless fathers with their children, and single mothers with adolescent sons.

EMAIL: aruisi@bhamnews.com